--- title: "Structured questionnaires and focus group meeting" subject: "Technology, Environment and Society" chapter: 2 key: "semester_7/technology_environment_and_society:structured-questionnaire-fgd" source: https://www.bctengineer.com/q/semester_7/technology_environment_and_society/structured-questionnaire-fgd site: BCT Engineering --- # Structured questionnaires and focus group meeting Technology, Environment and Society · Chapter 2: Development Approach - Asked in: 2076 Asoj, 8 marks - Answer checked by Claude Opus 5.5 (high effort) on 2026-10-14 - Page: https://www.bctengineer.com/q/semester_7/technology_environment_and_society/structured-questionnaire-fgd - Whole chapter: https://www.bctengineer.com/md/semester_7/technology_environment_and_society/chapter-2 ## Question Describe the pros and cons of using structured questionnaires. In what situations should you conduct this procedure? Also write about focus group meeting. ## Short answer Structured questionnaires give comparable, statistical data for large samples but are rigid and miss reasons. Use them when the topic is understood and measurable data are needed. A focus group discussion is a guided 6–12 person group discussion led by a facilitator to gather qualitative views, priorities, and reasons. ## Answer A **structured questionnaire** is a fixed set of questions, asked in the same order and wording to every respondent, mostly with closed answers (yes/no, multiple choice, rating scales). It is a quantitative survey tool. #### Pros (advantages) - Same questions for all, so answers are easy to **compare, code and analyse statistically**. - Can cover a **large sample** quickly and at low cost; enumerators need little training. - Gives numerical data (e.g. household income, water use per day) useful for design. - Less interviewer bias; results can be repeated and checked. - Can be self-administered, online or by phone. #### Cons (limitations) - **Rigid** – cannot explore new issues or the reasons ("why") behind answers. - Respondents may misunderstand questions or give socially acceptable answers. - Not suitable for **illiterate** respondents if self-filled; language problems. - Poorly designed questions give misleading data; pre-testing is needed. - Gives little information on culture, power and feelings; low response rate in mail/online surveys. #### When to use it - When the topic is **already understood** and specific, measurable data are needed (baseline survey, census of households, demand estimate for water supply). - When the population is **large** and results must be generalised. - For **monitoring and evaluation**, comparing before and after a project. - After qualitative methods (FGD, key informant interviews) have identified the main issues, so that good questions can be framed. #### Focus group meeting (Focus Group Discussion, FGD) An FGD is a guided discussion among a small group (about **6–12 people**) of similar background on a specific topic, led by a **facilitator** with a checklist, while a **note-taker** records. - **Procedure:** decide topic and checklist → select homogeneous group (e.g. women users, farmers) → introduce purpose, ensure free talk → facilitate discussion for 1–2 hours → record → summarise and share back. - **Advantages:** quick, cheap, gives shared views, reasons and disagreements; people stimulate each other's ideas; useful to find needs and priorities. - **Limitations:** dominant people may control the talk; not statistically representative; needs a skilled facilitator; sensitive topics are hard to discuss in a group. | Point | Structured questionnaire | FGD | |---|---|---| | Data type | Quantitative | Qualitative | | Respondents | Individuals, large sample | Small group | | Questions | Fixed | Flexible checklist | | Depth | Low | High | | Analysis | Statistical | Thematic | ## Check yourself The answer's key points as multiple-choice questions, with the correct option and why. 1. Which is an advantage of a structured questionnaire? A. Same questions for all respondents, so answers are easy to code and analyse statistically B. It explores the reasons behind answers in depth C. It is flexible and can change questions during interview D. It needs no pre-testing Answer: A. Fixed questions give comparable, quantifiable data from a large sample at low cost. (Key point: Questionnaire advantage) 2. Which is a limitation of structured questionnaires? A. They are impossible to analyse statistically B. They are rigid and cannot explore the 'why' behind answers C. They always need highly trained interviewers D. They cannot cover large samples Answer: B. Fixed closed questions cannot probe new issues or reasons. (Key point: Questionnaire limitation) 3. When is a structured questionnaire most suitable? A. When the issues are unknown and must be explored B. When only a few people share sensitive feelings C. When the topic is already understood and specific measurable data are needed from a large population D. When studying culture and power relations in depth Answer: C. Use it after qualitative methods have identified the issues, for baseline or monitoring surveys. (Key point: When to use) 4. What is the typical size and make-up of an FGD? A. About 50-100 people of mixed status B. One respondent and an interviewer C. 20-30 randomly selected households with a fixed form D. About 6-12 people of similar background led by a facilitator, with a note-taker Answer: D. Homogeneous small groups let all speak freely; a facilitator guides and a note-taker records. 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